Samson Johnson Blurb

[Huskyforlife]

Maybe my age-addled mind is just screwing with me for fun, but I have it in the back of my head (might be a real memory, might just be a misremembrance) that it was Johnson that the staff was scouting when Kimani 'discovered' Adama, who wasn't even ranked until he signed with UConn, then settled in at 87 or thereabouts, while Samson was ranked in the 50s at the time.

I think it was the other way around. I remember being impressed by Johnson while watching Sanogo, and being surprised how low his ranking was before it subsequently went up.

 

[jake14mw]

I hope you guys are right about him. I don't see it, but I hope he has an impact.

 

[PAHusky]

I don’t care at all if he can shoot threes. Three goals for whatever mpg is needed to give Clingan a blow:

• anchor the second team defense without fouling anywhere near as often as he does
• rebound particularly on the offensive end
• set good screens and finish at the rim in the pick and roll

If he does the above three at an above average level it should be considered a wildly successful season for him. Anything else is gravy

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I hope you guys are right about him. I don't see it, but I hope he has an impact.

As long as you’re not Coach Hurley’s burner account, I really like our chances

 

[karstenkibbe]

Hurley will find ways to use Samson. Let's not forget that in addition to Hawkins, Samson was the best player in the UVA scrimmage. He also earned the starting PF spot over Karaban last year.

Is this narrative still floating around? He was the starting 4 last year because Alex was nursing a minor ankle injury.

 

[Com'rGordon]

I really want a huge rise from Samson like we saw with Whaley. When we got Samson I said he had “huskies of honor” potential so I feel connected to him.

Always will be a fan of his even if he never blossoms how I hope

 

[Huskyforlife]

Is this narrative still floating around? He was the starting 4 last year because Alex was nursing a minor ankle injury.

i know this argument has been beaten to death. But you do realize Alex played 28 minutes in that game, right? He was healthy enough to start if he earned it.

 

[jibsey]

This Samson thing will go on and on until we see him play some meaningful minutes. He gets the benefit of doubt and the chance to do it but if Hurley didn't believe in him he wouldn't have stayed, pretty sure. 3 months at least till we all find out.

 

[karstenkibbe]

i know this argument has been beaten to death. But you do realize Alex played 28 minutes in that game, right? He was healthy enough to start if he earned it.

Fully aware. Karaban actually played 29 minutes in that first games vs Stonehill. Know why? Samson picked up two fouls in less than three minutes to begin the game. Hurley wanted to hold him back, but was forced to play him more minutes. So you can keep beating the argument to death. Have at it. From our pal Gavin Keefe in The Day:

 

[UofCT]

Is this narrative still floating around? He was the starting 4 last year because Alex was nursing a minor ankle injury.

Karaban didn’t sit out the games that Samson started.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Forgive me if this is already common knowledge, but is Samson fluent in english? I know being from Togo french is his first language, but I don’t know if i’ve ever heard him speak, so was just curious.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Karaban didn’t sit out the games that Samson started.

I never said Karaban sat out the SINGLE GAME Samson started in his place.

 

[HooperScooper]

Forgive me if this is already common knowledge, but is Samson fluent in english? I know being from Togo french is his first language, but I don’t know if i’ve ever heard him speak, so was just curious.

He's at a school where all classes are taught in English so I hope he's fluent in the language.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Fully aware. Karaban actually played 29 minutes in that first games vs Stonehill. Know why? Samson picked up two fouls in less than three minutes to begin the game. Hurley wanted to hold him back, but was forced to play him more minutes. So you can keep beating the argument to death. Have at it. From our pal Gavin Keefe in The Day:
View attachment 90025

I mean at some point you’re living in denial if you look at that 29 minute number and think his ankles were about to fall off. We coulda rested him against Stonehill with no worries, instead we increased his role because our starter went down early. That’s the reality of what happened.

And just to be clear, obviously I think Alex would’ve outplayed Samson and earned the starting spot anyways. But people ignoring the positive practice reports surrounding Samson, but thinking he was only borrowing the starting spot from Alex until he was “healthy” based on the same practice reports are strange.

 

[karstenkibbe]

I mean at some point you’re living in denial if you look at that 29 minute number and think his ankles were about to fall off. We coulda rested him against Stonehill with no worries, instead we increased his role because our starter went down early. That’s the reality of what happened.

And just to be clear, obviously I think Alex would’ve outplayed Samson and earned the starting spot anyways. But people ignoring the positive practice reports surrounding Samson, but thinking he was only borrowing the starting spot from Alex until he was “healthy” based on the same practice reports are strange.

“His ankles were about to fall off” you say? Did you see the part of my post where I said Karaban was nursing a minor ankle injury? Clearly, reading comprehension is not your specialty. And I’m quite confident that I know I’m right on this one. My last post on this issue. No need to say more.

 

[navery12]

I mean at some point you’re living in denial if you look at that 29 minute number and think his ankles were about to fall off. We coulda rested him against Stonehill with no worries, instead we increased his role because our starter went down early. That’s the reality of what happened.

And just to be clear, obviously I think Alex would’ve outplayed Samson and earned the starting spot anyways. But people ignoring the positive practice reports surrounding Samson, but thinking he was only borrowing the starting spot from Alex until he was “healthy” based on the same practice reports are strange.

As are the people ignoring all of Hurley's public comments about how Karaban was going to be the starter until Samson was injured. It makes zero sense how people still don't understand this

 

[The Frog]

I hope I'm wrong, but it feels like Samson is on the Richie Springs path of maybe this is the break out year. There were many games this year where both came in for garbage minutes. And that's all I saw. Was garbage. Sorry I can't jump aboard the hype train. And Would luv to be wrong about him....

 

[Huskyforlife]

As are the people ignoring all of Hurley's public comments about how Karaban was going to be the starter until Samson was injured. It makes zero sense how people still don't understand this

I don’t remember any pre season comments from Dan about Karaban starting, but feel free to refresh my memory if you have it.

 

[mauconnfan]

I don’t remember any pre season comments from Dan about Karaban starting, but feel free to refresh my memory if you have it.

None of it matters there’s no way in hell Alex wasn’t winning and keeping that job anyway. The freshman usually begins behind the heir apparent so I’m guessing they were planning on getting some confidence into Samsons mind heading into the season.

Again a lot to prove but he would be quite a story if he becomes a big piece. He hung around that’s a good start now let’s root for him.

 

[notEwekon]

I hope you guys are right about him. I don't see it, but I hope he has an impact.

Expect great things, it won't cost you a dime

 

[Chin Diesel]

I mean at some point you’re living in denial if you look at that 29 minute number and think his ankles were about to fall off. We coulda rested him against Stonehill with no worries, instead we increased his role because our starter went down early. That’s the reality of what happened.

And just to be clear, obviously I think Alex would’ve outplayed Samson and earned the starting spot anyways. But people ignoring the positive practice reports surrounding Samson, but thinking he was only borrowing the starting spot from Alex until he was “healthy” based on the same practice reports are strange.

No one is ignoring positive practice reports.

It's the lack of Johnson's in-game production that is cause for heavily guarded optimism.

Samson started over Karaban because Karaban had been nursing an injury and didn't have as much practice time or preparation as Johnson did leading in to scrimmages and early season games.

It is impossible to argue had Karaban been fully healthy throughout preseason he would have started because it didn't happen and no one knows.

What we all know is at not point next season is Johnson taking minutes from Karaban or Clingan. AK and DC will play every minute they are healthy and able. Johnson will back them up and get a chance to play up to 25 mpg.

 

[dennismenace]

All the major backup big man minutes are his to start the season. If he's as good as the staff says he is, then I say give him a lot of time early in the season. He's bought in and he's showed the program his loyalty, time to give him his part of the deal

Let him play through mistakes and only keep him on the bench if he consistently proves that he doesn't belong on the court (I'm 99% sure that won't be the case). On paper, him and Singare should be a really fun duo to watch if AK/Clingan both have to sit. Offensively challenged for sure, but two really long and athletic bigs that should own the paint. Of course this would only be in small minute spurts

Singare is a project and will get very few minutes this year.

Above quotes and many others remind me that Dan Hurley has always stated that game minutes are won in practice. So all speculation and helpful advice should be tempered by that fact. A player having won game minutes in practice still has to demonstrate he can produce on the floor to some degree.

I think Dan Hurley made a change last year when he expanded the minutes of the bench instead of playing only a seven man rotation as was his style. The bench which was so deep just came in and demoralized and demolished the opposition. I am confident that he will continue to look at this option because we are again so deep though less experienced. We can be sure Samson will be given ample time on the floor because he has been a good practice player and obviously has a lot of talent. If he blossoms this year this team will be devastating.

As far as Singare we are going to need help on the boards and defensive pressure in the paint. Sanogo's leav leaving is a big hole in the post when Donavan is not in there. I think Singare will be a dominating presence defensively and will open a few eyes. He's got a chip on his shoulder.

 

[navery12]

I don’t remember any pre season comments from Dan about Karaban starting, but feel free to refresh my memory if you have it.

At Big East media day Hurley said there's a real chance Karaban starts at the 4 spot, which is about as definitive an answer as you'll get from Hurley

 

[Huskybass]

I think Singare will have some impact as a freshman, on both ends of the floor. He's athletic and 7' tall, plus he will be practicing against Clingan every day.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Singare is a project and will get very few minutes this year.

Above quotes and many others remind me that Dan Hurley has always stated that game minutes are won in practice. So all speculation and helpful advice should be tempered by that fact. A player having won game minutes in practice still has to demonstrate he can produce on the floor to some degree.

I think Dan Hurley made a change last year when he expanded the minutes of the bench instead of playing only a seven man rotation as was his style. The bench which was so deep just came in and demoralized and demolished the opposition. I am confident that he will continue to look at this option because we are again so deep though less experienced. We can be sure Samson will be given ample time on the floor because he has been a good practice player and obviously has a lot of talent. If he blossoms this year this team will be devastating.

As far as Singare we are going to need help on the boards and defensive pressure in the paint. Sanogo's leav leaving is a big hole in the post when Donavan is not in there. I think Singare will be a dominating presence defensively and will open a few eyes. He's got a chip on his shoulder.

I don’t see why if Singare gets minutes he can’t have an Amida Brimah role.

Having both him and Samson can help against teams like Xavier too. Could use the extra size at the 4 and 5 against that matchup.

 

[Ricker]

I have faith that Johnson and Singare will both prove capable vs certain matchups and vs other non-starting posts. I fear they will both be eaten alive when Clingan goes to the bench with 2 fouls and the opponent's starter is still in the game. Dickinson, Bacot, Soriano, Kalkbrenner, Hutchins-Everett, ... It is going to happen and could be for lots of first half minutes. I really wish we had pushed for another frontcourt player with defensive bulk as an option. Give me a Ngongba reclass to 2023 for our last roster spot and all is well. Still short on experience but a different style matchup choice. Has the 6'11 265lb center from (UMass?) found a home yet?

 

[UofCT]

I never said Karaban sat out the SINGLE GAME Samson started in his place.

Right, but you said he was nursing an ankle injury. If he was nursing an ankle injury why did he play? If he was better during the off-season why not start him and limit his mins? The other starters that game (except Alleyne who replaced an actual injured Jackson) started the rest of the year.

Not trying to start an argument but you need to give Samson credit for earning the starting spot. Karaban even mentioned that Samson won the starting spot during his interviews with @gwhuskyfan.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I hope I'm wrong, but it feels like Samson is on the Richie Springs path of maybe this is the break out year. There were many games this year where both came in for garbage minutes. And that's all I saw. Was garbage. Sorry I can't jump aboard the hype train. And Would luv to be wrong about him....

Has anyone who ever started a post with “hope I’m wrong” actually hoped they were wrong?

 

[Umami Zen]

Has anyone who ever started a post with “hope I’m wrong” actually hoped they were wrong?

Hope not

 

[Chuck]

Has anyone who ever started a post with “hope I’m wrong” actually hoped they were wrong?

I do think "hope I'm wrong" is a legitimate way to make a prediction, but show it's not personal. I, personally, tend to keep negative predictions off message boards (except for a few hot takes that I usually regret). But I've had some negative thoughts about players/game results in the past that I think are reasonably thought out... but I hope that they don't come true.

All that said, if someone starts off with "no offense," you should just preemptively tell them to ___ themselves because you know what's coming. Constructive criticism never starts with "no offense."

Regarding Samson? I think he could have potential at the 4, but has a lot of work to do to play the 5. But I hope I'm wrong.